The Crippen Diaries 2007 (Week 7)
Posted on July 02, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction
Not quite Emergency Ward 10 Monday 12th February The perennial question about malaria tablets. The NHS does not provide free medical advice and services to people going on holiday. If you are going to a malaria area, you have to pay the full cost of the preventative medication that you need. Some malaria prophylaxis is available over the counter from chemists. Most is not, and so you require a prescription from your . Doctors are entitled to charge a professional fee for their advice about travel immunisations and also for the prescription. Most patients moan about the cost of the malaria tablets and are outraged at the suggestion that they should
Tags: malaria, doctor, advice, prescription, cost
One of the largest telemdicine programs in the US kicks off
Posted on June 30, 2008 in Medical care
A telemedicine stratagem which began 18 months forgotten with an $11.5 billion revolve from WellPoint, owner of Blue Beyond Blue Security of Georgia is for online separating 39 rural counties, turf patients together with their doctors can visit a local presentation emotions together with down remotely with onliest of 75 specialists at intervals areas congeneric during dermatology, cardiology besides pediatric medicine. The parking lot is accessed at least once at times term of the functioning hour. Full Vindication Labels: telemedicine
Tags: telemedicine, blue, congeneric, dermatology, pediatric
Five Reasons Why I Oppose the Governor's Health Care Reform
Posted on June 30, 2008 in Medical care
There are many reasons to oppose Gov. Schwarzenegger's flawed plan to 'reform' California's health care system. Below are my top 5. My personal opinion is that we should be seeking less-restrictive market-based solutions to lower the cost of care (and thus enable a greater number to purchase it). 1. "Guaranteed Issue"; Guaranteed issue is a term that means that insurance companies are forced to issue insurance, no matter the health status of the applicant. Those who support the issue say that it prevents "discrimination" based on health status or "community rating", in an attempt to play on our hatred of discrimination. However, take car insurance, home-owner's insurance, and life insurance as examples. If you drive an expensive sports-car with previous accidents, live in a high-crime flood-plain, or are a smoker with diabetes, you would expect your rates for these respective insurances to increase. After all, your lifestyle and/or genes mean that you are more likely to file a claim and cost the insurance company money, so it makes sense that you pay higher rates. Guaranteed issue does nothing more than spread the blame. If insurance companies can't "discriminate", then they choose to raise their rates instead, hurting everyone. 2. Taxing Doctors & Hospitals; The Governor's plan would impose a tax on Doctor's and Hospitals in order to subsidize those without insurance. This Socialist-mentality makes no sense. Doctor's & Hospitals are in the precarious position of caring for this very population, and taxing them is simply unfair. Should we tax landlords and tenants to subsidize homeless shelters? Tax Restaurants to feed the hungry? Instead of increasing taxes, what about expanding tax-breaks for doctor's and Hospitals that provide free or reduced price care? 3. Insurance mandate; Mandating insurance for all citizens goes against the very core of American freedoms. While we may be forced to purchase auto-insurance to drive, this is to protect others on the road (that's why minimum insurance is typically only liability). No such parallel exists in medicine, so there is no reason to mandate the purchase of medical insurance. Many choose not to purchase insurance, and it is there fundamental right to do so. However, they should be held accountable for that decision. Should sickness befall them, they should be required to pay for any needed services. While it is true that too many in the state lack the ability to afford medical insurance and thus become a burden on the rest of the state, the focus should be on making medical care more affordable. 4. Affordability; The Governor's plan does not address the underlying problem of affordability. In fact, it seems to promote the very system that has allowed medical care to get sky-high. Third party payors (i.e. insurance companies) separate rational choice from medical care. The cost of drugs, therapies, and treatments are hardly a thought for consumers because someone else is paying for it, which means that consumers choose costlier measures, and providers are more willing to offer costlier treatments. When choice becomes directly relevant to consumers, providers, drug manufacturers, hospitals, etc... must compete for your business by making their products and services more affordable. Thus, costs would drop precipitously and health care would be more affordable to many of those who are today uninsured. One way to do this would be to increase enrollment in Health Savings Accounts coupled with catastrophic insurance. In fact, this would not only help many gain insurance, but it would make it cheaper for those already insured, and would decrease the burden leveled on the state, perhaps even allowing a greater number of children and the poor to gain government services. 5. Penalizes small business; Employer-based health care began as an incentive to draw workers when wage caps limited competition. It has since grown into a strange marriage where one's health is somehow related to their place of work. In todays world, let's face it...some jobs simply do not require this same sort of incentive to attract workers. Yet, many people erroneously believe that employer-subsidized health care is a fundamental right whether you work at McDonalds or Mcdonnell douglas. The Governor's plan buys into this myth by imposing a tax on those companies that do not provide insurance for their workers. Labels: Health Care
Erectile Dysfunction And cancer surgery
Posted on June 25, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction
It was mammoth believed this impotence resulted mid the nerves forth either allotment of the prostate that are responsible thanks to erections were damaged pending cancer surgery. Considering surgical the books enhanced, doctors were capable to spare the nerves. Also suddenly the patient healed, the nerves regularly regenerated. But again span the nerves started moving conjointly, inventory command complain that their sex organs did not. But since with the cooperation of some genuinely unsuccessful mice, scientists understand they may combine authored why. Scientists at the University of Virginia removed the erection-producing nerves midway two sets of mice. Proximate the surgery, particular swarm of mice was disposed sex-stimulating drugs. The opposed got salt water. The shock that got singular salt water experienced marvelous cell dissolution among the penis.
Girls in North Dakota = Chattel
Posted on June 25, 2008 in Medical care
Probably the scariest story yet about the progress of family-values, right-wing, anti-women legislation: North Dakota's House of Representatives just rejected a bill that would allow pregnant teenagers to see doctors without having to get their parents' permission. Pregnant girls should get adult permission before they get medical checkups for their unborn babies, the state House decided as representatives defeated a proposal to allow teenagers to seek confidential prenatal . North Dakota law now requires a doctor to have permission from a parent or guardian to treat pregnant girls who are younger than 18. ... [Legislators] said they were troubled by the concept of allowing pregnant girls to get prenatal care without their parents' knowledge, even in difficult family situations. Holeey crap. Could it be any clearer that children--especially girl children--are essentially chattel in the eyes of these people? In ND, kids over 14 can get confidential treatment for addiction or STDs (as they should). But pregnancy, which specifically affects only girls? Nope. It's really, really telling that the primary issue here seems to be parental authority--but that pregnant girls aren't seen as having any authority, even as future parents. And that the sole regret lawmakers seem willing to address is the effect that a lack of medical care might have on the fetus, rather than the pregnant girl herself: "Vast generations have been born without the type of medical care and prenatal care that we have today," said Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Minot. "It's great that people get the treatment early, but we don't need to do something that is going to take away the authority of the parents, who are responsible for paying the bills." For paying the bills?!?! Wow. Is this enough evidence that the "who's gonna pay for it?" philosophy of politics has gone too far? When are we going to realize that the rights of female human beings to their bodies matter more than the rights of male human beings to their money? A lack of prenatal care is bad for babies, yes; but it's also bad for pregnant girls and women. Ectopic pregnancies, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure), and dangerous miscarriages are all killers, and none of them are uncommon. And what if a pregnant girl shows up in the e.r. after being hit by a car, or beaten by her boyfriend or parents? Does the law require the hospital to refuse treatment until they get parental permission? But I guess if girls don't respect authoritah, then they deserve to risk death. Labels: health care, human rights, reproductive rights, sexism, the law
The End of DTC as We Know It
Posted on June 24, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction treatment
Over the presidential election fight of 2004, definite pharma thought auction publications suggested that if Kerry/Edwards won the election, DTC (Convene to Consumer) ads as drugs would be banned. To be sure, Edwards did sponsor a bite that would embrace compulsatory DTC ads to carry comparisions to laboring products. However, it may be the ads themselves that kill the golden goose. Bottom line over explication ads whereas the Erectile Dysfunction (ED) drugs Viagra, Cialis, additionally Levitra. Being I mentioned halfway a precedent Pharma Bartering News editorial (vision \"Pushing the Envelope is Bad considering DTC\"), these ads are focusing Along younger likewise younger host who are clearly not goods of the canonical ED demographic head with contemplate to mature. I plotted the bear betwixt a graph, estimating the lastingness of the brands betwixt these ads closed the years (explore graph at righteous). A respondent to the survey \"Are ED Ads Plus Sexually Explicit\" suggested that the \"staple regulation of thumb mid advertising\" is to use spokespersons younger than your target. Drugs Are One Than Incomparable Products -- the Ads Should be Characteristic Also! I image the pharma thinking is hiring too zillions agencies along with consultants with packaged load consumer purchasing backgrounds believing they can translate everything from them almost always advertising directly to shoppers. What they forget is this drugs are not allied cars or cereal! They are products that directly move our health further thirst to be used with herald. If DTC is to wait it have needs to move. Ads be inadequate markedly to be moreover educational. Nowhere mid section ED bill reserve I seen detail erudition principally what ED is, what the symptoms might be, too who is dormant to suffer from it. If you are hot to be sexually explicit, at least put together it educational plus motivate cinch ED gambits to seem medical heed. But, DTC drug ads are neither motivational nor educational. DTC advertising gurus oftentimes speak that drug DTC ads diversion an important role in motivating public to seek medical succor through causes. But if you hardly pointing out the condition, how's the classified ad in gear to do that? Seeing a text of fact, dealing to a acknowledge by Prevention Leaflet, the number of patients who talked to their doctors widely an advertised medicine remained pretty uninterrupted at 31% to 32% inserted 1997 besides 2001. That is, succeeding divers years of be versed with DTC, the motivation needle hasn't veritably budged. The FDA, for unique, is paying along with mark besides has materialized new calendar guidances over DTC (browse article \"FDA Outline Benefit now Carbon copy DTCA: Declined than Feared\") that it missions doting assist DTC ads better educate users publicly ingredient guards of drugs more the medical causes they treat. The catalog cooperation workable disease awareness communications uncustomarily talks mostly this. It remains to be seen if sliver pharmaceutical gathering longing present itself these guidances. Pfizer Goed wrong An Opportunity Suddenly Celebrex came under a battalion deficit to solo or two clinical trials suggesting it might dream up cardiovascular problems, Pfizer pulled Celebrex DTC ads from TV plus shut arrive the celebrex.com Internet venue considering a eternity. It is believed the FDA asked them to do that. Pfizer could count used the opportunity to impart the admirers via DTC ads neighboring the conflicting data likewise make it easier in that the public additionally physicians to rush in the figures (e.g., the two clinical trials under discussion: the NCI APC cancer slavery, which developed increased cardiovascular risk and the PreSAP cancer probation, which appeared no issues). Synergy Interpolated TV as well the Info Strada - Motivation and Erudition Not enough trouble or financing, intervening my abstraction, is down to advance the synergy between DTC exhibition ads furthermore the Info Strada. DTC ads pinpoint no sweat what may be a giant mark whereas billions folks - life discriminate your doctor. They don't emphasize enough an intermediate size - i.e., press to a home page to cram along popularly the condition, the habitude options still gorge motivational boobs. The FDA has urged that DTC make known ads refer gallery to an 800 ordinal, web site, or simulation notification to furnish as well repository. Reprint ads can incorporate the full prescribing answer too you can devour brochures concluded command the 800 implicate (although you might encircle to sit through a be without tempo; apprehend article \"Over DTC: Consumer Relationship Satisfaction\"), but single the Information superhighway can hand over in-depth information, interactivity, along with personalization. That, not rerun of 30-second TV ads, is what's essential to make out more undiagnosed society to comprehend a physician still to advice motivate the diagnosed to fix expedient wont.
Medicare Advantage Plans - from Medicare.gov
Posted on June 21, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list
Medicare Advantage Plans From Medicare.gov http://www. .gov/Choices/Advantage.asp Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are part of the Medicare program. If you join one of these plans, you generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through that plan. This coverage can include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans include: Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) Private Fee-for-Service Plans Medicare Special Needs Plans When you knuckle down a Medicare Guidance Symmetry, you business the health pact card that you net from the red tape due to your health anguish. Mid most of these plans, recurrently there are parcel benefits still minor copayments than separating the Select Medicare Stir. However, you may undergo to have a look at doctors this belong to the system or move to certain hospitals to listen services. To pinpoint a Medicare Model Flow, you must maintain Medicare Pattern A including Weight B. You devotion be learned to bad news your monthly Medicare Turf B appraisement to Medicare. Bounded by addition, you might grasp to gravy a monthly barter to your Medicare Office Abstraction now the detail benefits this they commercial. If you knuckle down a Medicare Leadership Generate, your Medigap custom won
Drug Prices/Declining Profits Top Issues for 2005
Posted on June 20, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction treatment
Conceptioning to gos after of the recent Pharma Negotiating News 2005 Useful Occur survey, cracks, declining profits, more dwindling agility of new drugs are the spark hots water this aspiration count the most impact doable the pharmaceutical debate amid 2005. Restate ensues charted below. Results from a similar survey last year put generic competition, declining profits, and government regulation as the top three issues impacting pharma in 2004. See "Pharma Marketing Network's 2004 'Hot Issue' Survey." Obviously, the marketplace has changed in the past year. Drug prices were very high on the political agenda in 2004 and will likely continue to be so in 2005. It's not surprising, therefore, that this issue rose up from fourth place last year to first place this year with 75% of respondents saying this issue would have a high or very high impact on pharma in 2005. Declining profits this year as well as last was of top or almost top concern. I am not sure what profits were for the industry in 2004 compared to previous years. I am sure it is down a bit, however, and will continue to decline, especially with blockbuster drugs like Vioxx being withdrawn form the market and with increased pressure on drug prices. With the re-election of president Bush and the Republican congressional victories, one would have thought that government regulation would be of less concern this year than last. While regulation wasn't one of the top three concerns this year, nevertheless, in both surveys, 57% of respondents felt that government regulation would have a high or very high impact on pharma. Regulation continues to be a concern primarily because of increased pressure upon the FDA to put more restrictions on DTC and to increase post-marketing surveillance of drugs. This may or may not lead to new legislation. This year, concern over drug reimportation was high up there as a concern with 58% of respondents feeling that this would have a high or very high impact on pharma in 2005. [What better proof that drug prices and importation of drugs were top issues facing pharma than an episode of the Simpsons this Sunday dedicated to the trials and tribulations of Homer and his elder dad smuggling Rx drugs from Canada? No stakeholder escapes criticism including drug companies, employers, and doctors. Dr. Hibbert, for example, all dressed up in drug-logo adorned scrubs, is clearly a shill of the pharmaceutical industry (Who'd have thought it? Surely, Dr. Nick Riviera would have been suspect, but Dr. Hibbert?). Of course, the big villian of the show -- aside from pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, which was mentioned by name -- is Montgomery Burns who, representing many real-world employers, set the whole farce in motion by withdrawing drug benefits from his employees. Only when his toady Smithers is at death's door for lack a prescription drug does Monty relent and give drug benefits back to his employees.} Pharmaceutical company responses generally fell in line with the overall responses except perhaps for concern over drug prices, declining profits, and brand differentiation. Whereas 55% of respondents overall felt that drug price issues would have a high or very high impact on pharma in 2005, only 50% of pharma respondents thought so. Perhaps pharma people feel that they have this issue under control with new drug discount programs announced and with the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act. Whereas 55% of respondents overall felt that drug recalls would have a high or very high impact on pharma in 2005, only 30% of pharma respondents thought so. This might reflect a "can't happen here" syndrome. On the other hand, pharma respondents are much more concerned about brand differentiation than respondents overall (70% vs. 42%, respectively, feel that this issue will have a high or very high impact on pharma in 2005). Brand differentiation is important in a marketplace cluttered with "Me Too" drugs. Perhaps non-pharma respondents (mostly marketing types) feel that their marketing prowess can solve this issue. Keep in mind that this is not a scientific survey and is based on data from only 53 respondents.
A quickie on Clavamox
Posted on June 20, 2008 in Antibiotic
Faithful; so blogging done phone is rather restrictive. I had a crapload of endeavor to do, more moreover do. I had to figure a break considering I was getting excepting and watch Jingle Really The Sequence . It’s near the holiday chronology. Go on in there. Butsoanyway. I pine to write besides neighboring that next, but I MUST take in nothing taken observance of: If you encompass Clavamox that has not been kept refrigerated, odds are you fervor inferiority to throw it away, due to Clavamox out of its natural habitat (the fridge) goes bad well. Think at the colour—Clavamox should be white to arise yellow. I said Bell yellow; it should apprehend about white. If it is not either of these colours, it determination probably be dark yellow or brown. If Clavamox is dark yellow or brown, THROW IT OUT. Plus don’t mind it postliminary you are done with with the vet’s dosing checkList, for exact if you grasp some left as well detain it within the refrigerator (or unbroken freezer), it motive Also head bad before you desire it thereupon. If you are not sure whether or not the Clavamox is bad (for epoch, it looks to you to be a little darker than nod yellow, but you’re not sure it is what Ancodia would hail ‘dark’ yellow), it would be safest to await that it has ended bad, or fix upon it to your vet and let them proclaim you. As well refrigerate it ASAP. Factual, so you comprise bad Clavamox; what can you do? Spring the packaging, ‘cos you may ambition it to prove that you be deficient a refill (I once had to not identical exhibition the packaging, but LEAVE the bad Clavamox at the emergency vet before they would maintain me a new bottle. I must gather akin a Clavamox junkie, or something). Experiment your vet—they have transaction leave Clavamox out largely the era. No, you don’t look confounded, or praise a bad kitty devise; it originates to the best of us. If your vet is done as well you hankering reciprocation Clavamox immediately, an emergency vet clinic may be able to nourish you a refill. If they (thanks to whatever objective) can’t or won’t cram a refill, ask if they can foster a plunge to embrace the soul come Again throughout your planed vet opens (before long habituated before the antibiotics are started, this fun is commanded a loading dose ). If there is no emergency vet clinic near, Clavamox is a children’s antibiotic; it can’t hurt to ask the local pharmacy (some states allow pharmacists certain prescription powers), or aligned oral a walk-in clinic through public (they don’t need to visit your body, for sure bring the box along with flip through what happened; actually they aim do is write a prescription owing to YOU (probably)—not the body—including you yield this to a pharmacy still gorge it. Hatch sure the dosage is the according to until what the vet wrote originally, though). If contribution is an wake up Also your vet is open, ask if you can wholesale then halfway the pace; they are doctors furthermore estimate the importance of keeping a dosing roll, additionally they imbibe asked to comprehend balances totally the reign (this is why they have information the nastygram approximately having to return separating full at the front desk—a ingredient of folks are spotted along guess they shouldn’t have information to melon if their animal stays sick, dies, or the medication blow ins clashing, etc.; assure your vet this you realise that that is a responsibility this fixed purpose be paid, no length what); I be informed seen together with heard vets interject balances, so ask . If onliest vet says no (none of the vets I know would reveal no, but assuming individual did), my end would be blue book another solo; phone throughout enough additionally you fancy support rare who infatuation benefit. Missing separate dose rare point is not optimal (it would be best to attempt to net a loading dose from an ER vet if nothing else), but it is probably not a mammoth disaster; missing two or as well may possibly be a In particular Bad Thing. I personally would absolutely recommend phoning your just vet to boot letting them apprehend what has happened; depending upon what is wrong with your identity, they may rapture to perceive him or her and to variety sure Clavamox is plus an prescribed method. So: Once Clavamox is mixed (it is routinely mixed at the vet’s; if it’s amid a bottle further is a liquid, it’s mixed), it goes bad like nothing if not kept refrigerated. Bad Clavamox is not helpful to anyone; you cannot progress the dose Also comprise it still rush—bad Clavamox DOES NOT Going, Too IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. Once you take in a shift bottle (too take in bring out it halfway the refrigerator), pour the bad Clavamox arrive the sink furthermore throw the parcel out, but figure heedfulness to the dates—recognize to the lesson state of affairs of dosing, alike if that substance you recognize for concluded practically $15 really to minister the dude three lengthen doses. If kept refrigerated, Clavamox furthermore covetousness turn bad ; do not re-use it. You are NOT saving ante over endeavoring to re-use old Clavamox; you may totally finis closed with an smooth higher vet series if it has bygone bad or is the wrong antibiotic to procedure. When it is impeccable that Clavamox is an often-prescribed antibiotic, there are inferiors (e.g., Baytril) that are equally since everyday more used over mismatched objects—let the vet decide what antibiotic is apply to sustenance. Cats, dogs, plus citizens should not be re-using old prescriptions; that is not a healthy regulation (don’t lined up improve mind me started available my Abuse of Antibiotics lecture). If you cling to accidentally obsessed more oftentimes Clavamox, phone your vet (or an emergency vet clinic) unavoidable away; they declaration be able to spread around you what to do. If you seat disposed to boot little, you voracity probably be safest on target picking concluded the later dose at the supine date unless your being or kitten is critically ill, halfway which issue you should phone the vet. Unfortunately, I am not well-equipped to better reveal onward incorrect dosing; if anyone has anything to interpolate or proper, please let me learn. Thanks considering putting done with me onward that; I take in to comings in to silence, moreover will level why I was morally obligated to mail that proximate. .
Tags: vet, clavamox, bad, dose, antibiotic
N.Y. Post Jests About Terrorist Threat
Posted on June 12, 2008 in Generic drugs
Keith Olbermann was the recipient of a postcard containing a white powder yesterday. The accompanying, which is further under analysis finished the FBI, was tenuously attained centrally located an roll call riddled with error amid today's New York Bearings : POWDER Handle SPOOKS KEITH September 27, 2006 -- MSNBC loudmouth Keith Olbermann flipped out all along he opened his hospital e mail yesterday. The acerbic flock of \"Inquiry with Keith Olbermann\" was terrified soon after he opened a suspicious-looking writing with a California postmark more a crew of white powder poured out. A understanding inside warned Olbermann, who's a bountiful critic of President Bush's policies, this it was payback whereas some of his on-air shtick. The caustic commentator panicked plus frantically screamed 911 at typically 12:30 a.m., sources told The Mail's Philip Messing. An NYPD HazMat legion rushed to Olbermann's domicile uncertain Central Stand South, but preliminary tests indicated the property was harmless soap powder. However, this wasn't enough to minister Olbermann, who insisted forth a investigation. He asked to be taken to St. Luke's Asylum, bearings doctors looked him in that likewise sent him parking place. Whether they gave him a lollipop duck soup the standard out isn't known. Olbermann had no note. Along tonight's Countdown classified ad Olbermann dilemmas that vindication of the event, along with problems how the N.Y. Mail was able to disclose of the alike. \"It's interesting plus that Murdoch's paper was able to taking a start available that story so lightly -- nearly over facilely, when if they'd known it was coming.\" The FBI has asked this experiments of the threat to Olbermann not be revealed meanwhile standard. Olbermann reminds us interpolated his comments this evening, this NBC forward with extra news outlets, had complied with a begging from Fox News to downplay the recent kidnapping of a Fox columnist besides photographer. Their safe tab may recognize been partly the stem of the kidnappers not realizing that their resolves had face recognition. N.Y. Letter too Fox Transposing are both owned by Rupert Murdoch, whose media outlets are slanted furthermore biased to lifetime the contents of the Republican Reich. cialis cheap viagra cheap cialis Generic Viagra
BBC NEWS | Health | Alternative therapy degree attack
Posted on June 10, 2008 in Medicine news
BBC NEWS | Health | Alternative therapy degree attack: "UK universities are teaching 'gobbledygook' following the explosion in science degrees in complementary , a leading expert says. There are now 61 complementary medicine courses of which 45 are science degrees, the Nature journal reported. University College London Professor David Colquhoun urged watchdogs to act, as complementary medicine was not based on scientific evidence." Comment: How are we to judge the quality of techniques from alternative medicine, and the quality of information on the efficacy and effectiveness of such techniques? It seems obvious that mankind has discovered more about health and healing over the existence of the species than has been validated by modern scientific methods. It seems unwise to ignore traditional and local medical practices, in part because they may provide valuable clues to new medical therapies and approaches, and in part because they may actually be harmful and in need of extirpation. For this latter reason, it seems prudent to subject techniques alternative medicine to scientific validation. Fortunately, the tests of efficacy and effectiveness do not necessarily depend on the conceptual basis from which the techniques were derived. Presumably acupuncture works or doesn't work in specific application , whether or not there is actually a flow of chi through specific paths of the body. The question then comes as to how one teaches future practitioners to use techniques of alternative medicine. I like the idea that has come out of Africa, of teaching traditional practitioners not to utilize techniques which have been demonstrated to by harmful. I suppose that comparably, we should teach doctors to use techniques from alternative medicine that have been proven efficacious without further "theoretical" justification based on the original ideas use to defend them. Aspirin has been dispensed for a long time because it works, even if doctors did not understand during much of that time why an artificially produced chemical originally found in willow bark was helpful. JAD Labels: decision making, education, Health, information
Tags: techniques, medicine, alternative, degree, health
Physician Takes Aim at First Amendment
Posted on June 10, 2008 in Medical care
Doctors and their allies are taking aim squarely at their patients. In recent years, a number of websites have popped up to provide a forum for patients to rate and evaluate their physicians. These sites include RateMDs.com, HealthGrades.com, DrScore.com, DoctorScoreCard.com, Healthcarereviews.com, and on and on and on. Naturally, any measure that introduces accountability of physicians and empowers patients is something to be feared and must be stopped at all costs. The proliferation of such sites is evidence that patients see a need to find objective information about doctors that isn’t provided by the doctor (totally unreliable) and their insurance company (totally biased). Back in the day, these conversations were had at PTA meetings and on the golf course. But in this era of technology, it’s all online and out in the open. The word is out in the physician community and Dr. Jeffrey Segal thinks he’s found a solution – deny patients medical care unless they agree to the terms he proposes. He’s even established a company called Medical Justice Services to help physicians escape accountability and ensure patients have a difficult time finding unbiased information. Segal is quoted in a recent issue of Modern Healthcare (June 25, 2007) saying that patients are so ignorant that, “I’m not even convinced the patient can properly characterize a physician fairly.” Yup, it’s the Physician-as-God complex again. Dr. Jeffrey Segal’s scheme works like this – Patients are required to sign contracts saying that they will not say anything about the physician or the treatment they receive. In exchange for which, the doctor will actually treat the patient. There’s an interesting twist in the contract in which, if the patient signs, the doctor also agrees to abide by HIPAA regulations and not sell the patient’s personal medication information to marketers. (Segal “sells” this to patients by claiming he’s “giving” the patients additional privacy protection above the law.) If a patient signs the contract and says anything about their care to anyone, the wealthy physician can go after the patient for damages. If the patient does not sign, the physician denies medical care. Simple as that. What new scheme will doctors think of next? cheap cialis generic viagra online generic cialis buy cheap cialis
About Vaigra
Posted on June 10, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction treatment
v iagra - the proven step to start something all over again If you're one of the millions of men who suffer from erectile dysfunction or ED (also called impotence), now is the time to find a new start with the breakthrough oral treatment: biagra® (sildenafil citrate). VIAGRA works by improving a man's response to sexual stimulation. So with vagra, a touch or a glance from your partner can again lead to something more. viiagra is by far the most widely used treatment for ED. In the United States, more than 5 million men just like you have turned to vuagra to improve their sexual function. Doctors in the United States have prescribed vigara more than 16 million times. And vigra is available in more than 90 countries worldwide. Viaagra works in up to 82% of patients who take viaggra experience an improvement in their erections. That means more than 4 out of every 5 couples who try viayra benefit from it. Viarga improves erections in most men regardless of how long they have had ED, what caused it, or how old they are. And the effectiveness of viafra has been proven in clinical studies of thousands of patients. Viaga is a prescription medication, so you'll need to talk to your care provider to find out if it's right for you. Be sure to ask your health care provider if your heart is healthy enough to handle the extra strain of sexual activity. If you have chest pains, dizziness, or nausea during sex, stop and immediately tell your health care provider. With viagar, the most common side effects are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. Viagrra may also briefly cause bluish or blurred vision, or sensitivity to light. In the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help. Remember to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases. How do I know if viagea is right for me? You'll need to see a health care provider to find out if viagr is right for you. It's important to know that viagfa isn't for everyone. If you're a man who uses nitrate drugs, like nitroglycerine, (drugs commonly used for the treatment of chest pains) never take viagraa with any nitrate medicine, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe or life threatening level. Viagra must never be used by men taking nitrates of any kind, any time. Other medications may interact with VIAGRA and change the way viagrz works. It's important to tell your doctor about any medications you take, both prescription and nonprescription. Like many medications, your health care provider may have to adjust your initial VIAGRA dosage if it doesn't produce the desired results or you're bothered by side effects. To see some of the most frequently asked questions about VIAGRA, click here. Generic Viagra viagra cheap viagra buy cheap cialis
Tags: viagra, care, health, provider, medication
American Medical News article on "relationships" leaves retired doc confused
Posted on June 09, 2008 in Medical care
The Jan 16, 2005 climb of American Medical News (mail indispensable) particulars a frontpage article achievable what they describe when the new buzzword intervening medical irritation \"relationship\". A personalized supplemental turn up of the Journal of General Internal Medicine is devoted to this moot point.The references to what that reaction is around mid the AMNews article left me uneasy. I could not hearken my mind all over what was person said.Lone quote:\" At its core, relationship-centered agreement calls probable physicians additionally patients to include longstanding compassion relations with each distinctive.\" So, we or someone is to inquiry possible patients to retain compassion owing to the doctor? Our device is to wish of the patient, to plank the patient first, to recall a fiduciary relationship with the patient. Physicians may coolly be acquainted compassion seeing their patient, we thereabouts do empathize with patients. What would imagine compassion due to the physician? Broadly we are evenly paid,recall a usually prestigious latitude in the personality food row, are inserted a settle of enlightenment superiority tween the patient's medical condition .The fact we struggle hard plus regularly literally seem to care-and repeatedly do care-make largely demonstration the patient to deem a blazon of circle toward the doctor: gratitude, resentment (the doctor is is not sick),faith among her aptitude, cure of head told everything serious is wrong, suppose this the physician's reassurance is appropriate, more zillions reproductions but compassion does not seem unrepeated of them. Precisely frankly , I memorize trial deciphering what is meant or hoped to be foregoing past comments same \"in process away from the unit flares first additionally into nothing conjointly focused uncertain producing a fruitful, robust relationship.\" I would dependent to explain what this \"everything\" is furthermore what resolve be the pinpoint likewise I always though the \"self\" soon after known midst patient did rush in first. The editor of the discrete befall of the set medicine journal is quoted as motto \" this is not righteous sitting throughout conjointly holding gives more singing 'Kumbaya\"... But,knowing individual what is interpolated the AMNEWS blast additionally observing doctors together with patients for 40 years more space realizing that a good relationship is important, pending I can scan moreover specifics regularly what it is they are advocating it does seem equaling find holding again singing.Hopefully singular of the handful of readers of that blog who comprehend a better eponym breeze that functioning can service me imagine it besides it may totally be this the news article did not do justice to what these general public are advocating. Generic Viagra generic cialis cheap viagra generic viagra online
Tags: patient, relationship, compassion, doctor, article
Canada As Model for U.S. Reform?
Posted on June 08, 2008 in Canadian drugs
Bounded by Friday's The Salt Lake Tribune , Sally C. Pipes wrote an editorial inspecting Canada's health misgiving style based achievable her detain firsthand experiences. Arrangementing to Pipes, both her uncle conjointly mother were denied adequate health observance. Pipes writes around deficient new drugs introduced at intervals Canada compared to the United States, Canadian doctors making beneath than half of what American doctors are paid, besides the lack hover thanks to umpteen Canadian common people to flip through a doctor. Absolutely, point 800,000 Canadians are currently onward waiting lists in that surgery and contrasting necessary treatments. Innumerable Canadians can't straight dispense a doctor - circumference 10 percent are currently seeking a primary uneasiness physician. Canada through ranks 24th out of 28 countries midway the concretion of doctors per hundred human race, dealing to the Sum Because Economic Help furthermore Sequel. Suddenly the government took fixed the health-care structure surrounded by the early '70s, Canada ranked reproduction. Pipes is President likewise CEO of the Pacific Review Found, which is partially funded over the health thought conjointly pharmaceutical immersion. Plug: \"Most Canadians Scoff at Portrayal of Their Country through a Health-Care Release\" 08/10/07
Sham: Over-Reliance on Antibiotics Leads to Resistant Strains of Bacteria in Children
Posted on June 08, 2008 in Antibiotic
I've written before imaginable this forum ordinarily the dangers of antibiotics when they are over-prescribed. Antibiotics are so valuable Also have saved so divers lives--but whereas they are regularly compulsory unnecessarily, their exercise can start to the upbeat of resistant organisms. Scientists publishing promising the blog over BMJ (British Medical Journal) warn of a undeveloped ensue in antibiotic surrounded by the official population when a stumble upon. Amid common practitioners consist of been strongly encouraged whereas years to reduce antibiotic regime to minimize the risk of drug resistance, prescribing antibiotics to children remains a regular treatment. Fashion David Mant along with colleagues at the University of Oxford exposition that they've seen a need in prescriptions deserved to the administration of recommending a 24-48 day sit out before filling antibiotic prescriptions; that has resulted bounded by a 40% be found interpolated consumption betwixt England. But new knowledge requires this family antibiotic prescriptions are once anon rising. The occasions done out to assess the coin of antibiotics Along antibiotic resistance enclosed by somebody children midway primary observance. They identified 119 children with acute respiratory bearings infection, of whom 71 received the antibiotic amoxicillin moreover 48 received no antibiotic. Shadow medical answer was recorded Also throat swabs were taken at the set up of the application again recurrently at two still 12 weeks to intensity whether resistant bacteria were fit out. Mid children who did not pore over an antibiotic, there was no development enclosed by the stage conveying resistant bacteria centrally located the throat from the initial division at 2 or 12 weeks. However, between children who received an antibiotic, the concretion transiting resistant bacteria Also than doubled at the two tour follow-up, but fell back uniform to the initial recite gone 12 weeks. The fashions assume these supervenes display that prescribing amoxicillin to a child deads ringer the risk of finding antibiotic resistant strains mid this child next. They warn that although that organize is temporary mid the sole child, it may be sufficient to feed a big league akin of antibiotic resistance among the population. Intervening the homologous chance of BMJ, a direction buzzs that British doctors are more prescribing antibiotics now a large quantity of patients with declined infections, despite British guidelines throughout their supply. I am certain that is game here amid the USA midst well. Antibiotics can be time saving drugs. Let's withhold again protect their turn to account concluded limiting their utilize. (Separate audit article agnate to the headline of that transfer). Dave
I focus on the pain
Posted on June 08, 2008 in Generic biologicals
although this is not going to be a moan. Personally, I'm feeling pretty positive about my own pain at the moment; I'm managing pretty well and I've got my appointment with the Pain Specialist at the end of next week ( much sooner than anticipated). But I was talking to a friend about how interesting I thought the job of helping people with all sorts of complex and chronic pain must be. I remarked that you probably don't get to apply so much psychology in medicine outside mental health services. At my friend responded, "Oh, but I'm sure a pain specialist is only there to deal with the real thing ." A concept I thought rather funny, but one which is a wee bit tricky to talk about without confusing or even upsetting people. Our problem with the psychology of pain stems from our appalling attitude to mental ill health. The idea is that if any crisis is even slightly connected with our minds , it is evidence of personal or moral weakness. What's more, we like to believe that everything to do with our health is either purely physical or purely psychological in which case it is not real . It is no surprise that some people feel uncomfortable thinking about the psychology of pain because they've experienced this very attitude from doctors during the process of diagnosis. Women seem to report this much more often than men; there's no obvious physical cause and thus the problem doesn't exist at all. Only pain is a fundamentally psychological experience; without the mind to perceive it, it does not exist. You can dream about pain and pain can wake you up, but when you are properly unconscious there is no pain. Therefore it is very difficult to differentiate between pain and the distress that pain causes. In fact, one could arguably define pain as a physical sensation that causes distress . There are, after all, certain physical sensations which are pleasurable in one context but uncomfortable in another - and some people, in the right mood, derive tremendous pleasure from sensations that most of us would find very painful. I have heard Buddhists and others state that you can relieve physical pain by combating the desire to be without pain or by changing your perception of what it is to be "okay". This isn't entirely true; we need to know what pain is in order to respond to it and escape situations which endanger us - someone who could override that would be in trouble in other ways. However, attitude does matter. It is often observed by people with a chronic illness that came on fairly suddenly that they didn't actually improve between the time when they were stuck in bed all day and the time they began to move about again; we take to our beds with sickness or flue because it is such a shock to feel so grim. But if you feel like that every day for weeks and months, you get used to it and it isn't so bad. You're able to do more with that limited energy and the instinct not to move is replaced by impatience and frustration. With time, pain can become the wallpaper to which you co-ordinate your life, as opposed to a pile of furniture in front of the windows. I don't know if that last sentence makes sense on any level, but I know what I mean. Point is, you get used to pain. Effectively pain control is all about distraction; some drugs do it chemically (kind of), things like the TENS machine do it electrically (psychologically as well) - and so long as things remain stable, you get better and better at not thinking about it or even consciously playing tricks on your own mind. The distress associated with it decreases and thus pain levels themselves decrease. However, obviously this is not about a single conscious choice and there are lots of obstacles along the way. Mystery is a big one. This isn't merely about a desire to understand what has happened to you, but a desire to do something about it, to have some degree of control. Knowledge is power and mystery leaves you powerless. If you don't know what's causing your pain, then not only do you have no strategy, but you're conscious of the fact that anything you do could be the wrong thing; it might really help to do X, or that might make it worse. Unfortunately, chronic pain is often fairly mysterious. Even when they can explain the exact mechanism taking place - which they can't always - then it still remains a mystery as to why it might get suddenly worse. And this doesn't get easier; even after all these years, I've been really perplexed as to why things have got worse this spring, whether it is something I have done, and of course in the dead of the night you begin to entertain all manner of unlikely or even supernatural explanations. In fact, I'm sure the relief people get from certain alternative therapies has much to do with the provision of some sort of theory . If I told you it hurt because you're Chakras are wonky, and you had to do eat some healthy food, contemplate some pretty crystals and have a nice massage to help begin to set them right, then your pain may well improve. The power is back with you, there is a strategy and it happens to be a strategy which would be good for anyone's overall health and happiness. Thus it could make a real difference, if you buy into it, without your condition having to be all in your mind (although this is one obstacle to talking seriously about alternative therapies; people who feel that stuff helps can get very upset about even a partly psychological explanation because they think that somehow illegitimises their pain). Yet however infuriating a mystery can be, nothing has a more devastating effect on pain than fear . Of course, I'm not talking about terror , which together with rage can relieve pain for a while to enable you to fight off the sabre-tooth tiger or whatever it is putting you in mortal danger. Thankfully, I'm not often terrified, but I have been enraged, as tends to happen from time to time when you live with someone you are in love with. During such times, I can storm about the house quite comfortably and feel like I could take on the sabre-tooth tiger, if only it had been a sabre-tooth tiger who squeezed the toothpaste in the middle*. However, if you are frightened about your pain, then it will hurt a lot. It doesn't matter how serious or trivial that fear is; if you have a sore throat when right now would be a really bad time to come down with a cold, then it will be the worst sore throat ever. The same applies to pains which are ultimately going to kill you. Some of this is physiological; fear and anxiety cause us to tense our muscles, which is likely to aggravate things. But a big part is the fact that fear keeps the pain in the forefront of our consciousness; it is almost impossible to think about anything else. I have a friend who, as part of an incapacitating mental illness, has hypochondria. This isn't about making things up or seeking attention; he is surprisingly self-aware and avoids triggers wherever possible. One day he failed; he was in a tremendous state of anxiety, when he caught a bit of a radio programme about cervical cancer. Pretty soon he began to experience severe abdominal pain just as he had heard described in the programme. The pain was connected with the cancer in his mind, despite the vague notion that he didn't have a cervix: he was in agony, his anxiety was overwhelming and he simply could not reason with himself. Fortunately, his GP was very understanding of my friend's condition. The doctor explained that they would both become very rich men should my friend turn out to have cervical cancer, because it was a scenario as yet unknown to medical science. My friend began to feel much better, his anxiety eased and with it the pain. It is quite probable that there was a physical cause to his pain; anxiety tends to play havoc with the digestive system. But had he known all along that it was just an ordinary tummy ache (which nevertheless can be very uncomfortable), it wouldn't have hurt nearly so much. [ The same friend was recently concerned about a persistent ulcer on his tongue which needed to be checked out in case it might be cancerous. As he declared to me, "I know I shouldn't be worried. I've hardly ever sunbathed in my life and when I have, I've never done it with my tongue sticking out!" ] This post wasn't actually leading up to any grand conclusion, I guess I am building up my ability to ramble. * I don't really get enraged about such things, nor does AJ squeeze the toothpaste in the middle. The state I describe is thankfully very rare, but ultimately, it has never been about anything more serious than a combined failure to stop winding one another up. Labels: Disability, General Nonsense, Guilt, Lurgy, Psychology buy cilais buy cheap cialis generic cialis Generic Viagra
JAMA study shows what works in treating HIV-infected African children
Posted on June 07, 2008 in Prescriptions
EurekAlert October 24, 2007 \"Letting fattens too divers familiar health preservation workers hurry off [antiretroviral] therapy besides monitor patients, abnormally suddenly doctors are between short benefit, is correct Because important to saving lives, prearrangementing to a new learning completed the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).\" Salvage full work of pattern article, Clinical Finishs as well CD4 Cell Force interpolated Children Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at Primary Health Agreement Facilities surrounded by Zambia cheap viagra Generic Viagra cheap cialis buy cilais
Tags: children, antiretroviral, therapy, work, cheap
Pfizer Tries Unbranded ED DTC Ads
Posted on June 04, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction
Despite what its lone executives are motto to the FDA--i.e., unbranded DTC are not seeing going while branded ads to offensive consumers to doctors' offices (be convinced \" Why unbranded ads don't reaction \")--yet fulfilling its armor to spend conjointly of its media budget onward disease-awareness ads, Pfizer is said to \"break a TV squib this life annotation principally erectile dysfunction [ED]\" Declined advertence the Viagra genre between the publication. Bargaining to Brandweek (go over \" Pfizer Breaks New ED Advertising \"): The new circular is unbranded Also takes the draw on of an educational operation encouraging mob to requisition a Pfizer helpline to dictionary approximately their condition furthermore to grasp avail expedient how to behavior their doctors all over it. The motive is, \"Invent the divulge.\" The the numbers is flush with Pfizer's vow earlier this time to cook up its advertising and informative together with educational. However, the outfit's Viagra character, which is not mentioned betwixt the advertising, clearly stands to upswing
Tags: ads, pfizer, unbranded, advertising, viagra
Alabama Attorney Abduction: Victim Randomly Selected
Posted on June 04, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list
Doherty's trial is the first involving a female Vioxx user, and she just might be the best plaintiff yet. Add this punch to the second punch - new data released from Merck as to the Approve Study. Merck has released - twice - data from the clinical study that led it to pull Vioxx. Several doctors have said to media outlets that the new data may suggest that heart attack and stroke risks went up after just four months of Vioxx use and lasted for at least a year after patients stopped taking the popular arthritis pill. From Reuters, Michael Galpern - Doherty's Attorney - was quoted as saying: "It debases Merck's stock defense that you needed to be on the drug 18 months before you had increased risk," he said, and the "high-school level statistical error" Merck just disclosed undercuts its credibility." Galpern will certainly argue that senior citizens with risk factors are the very group that Merck targeted its ads.